Well done to all you runners today. Having run the Abingdon Marathon last year I wanted to put something back into the event and volunteered to do some marshalling this year. I was posted out at the 11 mile / 20 mile point in Milton Park (just before the water station) and had an absolute blast cheering all you guys and girls. From the leader to those at the back of the pack - you're all heroes and were fantastic. How on earth so many of you had the energy to wave, smile or throw back a witty comment in response to me cheering you on, I don't know. If anyone is thinking of marshalling - do it. I really, really enjoyed today and loved cheering you on.

Oh yes, to the runner who ordered a cider on lap one and then had the wherewithal to cancel it on lap two, to show such humour when in such agony - BRILLIANT.

The Rome Marathon course is almost all flat with only a few not very steep sections. I ran this last year and absolutely LOVED the whole occasion, even if I did hit the wall at about the 20 mile mark. If the course is the same then I think the only steep bits come after about:

1/2 mile (just after a big bottle neck)

14 miles (slip road up onto the dual carriageway)

25 miles (same hill as at 1/2 mile)

26 miles (road leading around the Colliseum)

And don't worry about the cobbles. There are really not that many of them and they are flat and not pebbly, so in my opinion they're no worse than running on roads anyway.

One other tip - all the distance markers are in km's and not miles. This isn't a major problem but for anyone wanting to guage their time and pace then it's something you may want to get your head around.

Good luck everybody - this is a great race, the medal is the best I've ever got and it was organised brilliantly. Come to think of it, why aren't I running it again? Oh yes, all that training......

Hello everyone, I would urge anyone wavering on whether to enter Abingdon Marathon to do so now. You won't regret it - and don't forget, if you change your mind there is generally a waiting list so I think you can withdraw by the end of June and there'll be a pretty much guaranteed taker for your place.

This a great event and I thoroughly enjoyed running it last year. For first timers it's a great introduction to marathons. OK, it doesn't have the big city crowds of VLM and the like, but it's very friendly and welcoming and, therefore, not too scary. For those who have run marathons before and looking for a PB, then this is THE race to do.

I won't be running this year (training for two marathons last year takes it toll on my body) but I've volunteered to marshal so I'll be cheering you all on and dipping into this forum now and again.